Football game

ABSTRACT

The football game is an apparatus for playing the football game and a method for playing the football game. The football game apparatus has one or more balls and one or more collapsible goal assemblies. The collapsible goal assembly has an open base frame, a pivotally attached goal frame, and an upright support bar that holds the goal frame in a tilted position. A net that forms a pouch for the reception of balls is attached to the goal frame. The football game goal assemblies are placed opposite one another and then team players attempt to throw balls in to the nets. The teams stand behind or next to the goal assembly and scoring is based on the number of balls a team can successfully throw into the opposing teams goal assembly. The goal assembly is collapsible so that it is easily set up and transported.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game, and particularly to a football game where players attempt to throw a football into a net from a fixed distance in order to score points.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various types of games exist where opponents, either as individuals or members of a team, compete against one another by throwing an object at a fixed target. The usual goal is to land the object as close as possible to the target. These types of games are typically played outdoors in a backyard or field setting. Examples include such games as horseshoes and lawn darts.

There are several disadvantages to the lawn games currently played. Games such as lawn darts involve throwing a large, pointed metal dart, which can be dangerous to both participants and onlookers. A game of horseshoes requires a pit to be prepared and also has the further disadvantage that many people lack the strength to accurately throw a steel horseshoe effectively. In addition, most lawn sports lack the extreme popularity of sports such as football or soccer.

Team sports such as football or soccer require considerable space and can also be strenuous for participants. Game devices for one or more players utilizing footballs or soccer balls are known, such as quarterback training devices, but these devices are often bulky and difficult to transport, and can require considerable time to assemble. It is therefore desirable to have a game that can be played by participants of all ages and abilities, but is both portable and utilizes components from some of the more popular field sports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The football game includes an apparatus for playing the football game and a method for playing the football game. The football game apparatus comprises one or more balls and one or more collapsible goal assemblies. The collapsible goal assembly comprises an open base frame, a pivotally attached goal frame, and an upright support bar that holds the goal frame in a tilted position. A net that forms a pouch for the reception of balls is attached to the goal frame. One version of the football game is played by placing the goal assemblies opposite one another at a fixed distance, the fixed distance being based on the skill level of the players, and then attempting to throw balls into the net. The teams, which comprise one or more players, stand behind the goal assembly, and scoring is based on the number of balls a team can successfully throw in to the opposing teams goal assembly. The goal assembly is collapsible so that it is easily set up and transported.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of the football game being played according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible goal assembly.

FIG. 3A is a detail view of the pivotal attachment joining the goal frame to the base.

FIG. 3B is a detail view of the pivotal attachment joining the upright support bar to the base.

FIG. 3C is a detail view of the removable attachment joining the goal frame to the upright support bar.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the collapsible goal assembly in the folded position.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a football game. The football game comprises one or more collapsible goal assemblies, referred to generally as 10 in the drawings, one or more balls, and a method of playing the football game.

Referring to FIG. 2, the collapsible goal assembly 10 comprises a U-shaped frame with a cross brace adjacent the open mouth defining a generally rectangular base frame 12, a U-shaped goal frame having two legs 14, 16, a top crossbar 18, and a crossbar 20 extending between the two legs 14 and 16 at about the middle of the goal frame, an upright support bar 22, and a net 24. The two legs 14, 16 of the U-shaped goal frame are pivotally attached to the front of the base frame 12. One possible means of pivotally attaching the legs 14, 16 to the base frame 12 is by using a hinge 26, as is shown in FIG. 3A. The upright support bar 22 connects the top 18 of the goal frame to the middle of the bight of the U-shaped base frame 12, thereby supporting the goal frame in a tilted position as shown in FIG. 2. The first end of the upright support bar 22 is pivotally connected to the back of the base frame 12. One possible means of pivotally attaching the upright support bar 22 to the base frame 12 is by using a hinge 26, as is shown in FIG. 3B. The second end of the upright support bar 22 is removably attached to the top 18 of the goal frame. One possible means of removably attaching the second end of the upright support bar 22 to the top 18 of the goal frame is by securing a bolt 30 to the top 18, where the bolt 30 passes through an opening 32 in the support bar 22 and is secured by a wing nut 34, as is shown in FIG. 3C. In addition to the embodiment described above, it is contemplated that the first end of the upright support bar 22 is removably attached to the base frame 12.

The mouth of the net 24 is attached to top crossbar 18, legs 14 and 16, and crossbar 20, which define a goal mouth that is approximately three feet wide and a foot and a half tall. The body of the net 24 sags behind the goal frame, forming a sack that receives footballs thrown through the goalmouth. If desired, legs 14 and 16 may have a plurality of registered holes aligned at different heights so that crossbar 20 may be removably attached to legs 14 and 16 and adjusted at different heights to change the size of the opening defining the goal mouth.

FIG. 4 shows the collapsible goal assembly 10 in a folded position. By disconnecting the second end of the upright support bar 22 from the top 18 of the goal frame, both the upright support bar 22 and the top 18 may be folded down over the base frame 12, as shown in FIG. 4. Folding the collapsible goal assembly 10 makes the assembly 10 easy to store and transport. The simple construction of the collapsible goal assembly 10 also makes the assembly 10 easy to set up.

The method for playing the football game includes forming teams of one or more players and setting one or more collapsible goal assemblies 10 in opposing attitudes as is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows the football game being played with two teams of one player each. The first player 40 stands behind one collapsible goal assembly 10 and the second player 42 stands behind another collapsible goal assembly 10. The collapsible goal assemblies 10 are set apart at a distance based on the skill level of the players 40, 42. Players 40, 42 then alternately attempt to throw one or more balls into the opposing teams collapsible goal assembly 10. FIG. 1 shows the football game being played with a football 44, although other types of balls such as tennis balls, soccer balls or baseballs may be used. Scoring is based on the number of footballs 44 each team can land inside the opposing teams collapsible goal assembly. One set of footballs 44 may be used or each team can be provided with their own set of footballs 44.

Although not shown, it is further contemplated that the football game can be played with two teams throwing a ball at a single collapsible goal assembly. Thus, in one embodiment the game may be played with two goal assemblies 10 spaced apart by about sixty feet. Each team would consist of two players, one player from each team standing beside each goal assembly 10. Four footballs may be provided, two footballs having a first color and two footballs having a second color to distinguish between the teams. Each team would first throw their two footballs towards the opposing goal.

No points are scored unless the football is received in the net. If both teams each have either one or both of the footballs received in the net, no points are scored, as each team had the same number of footballs received in the net. If one team has one of their two throws received in the net and the other team missed the goal on both throws, then the first team would score one point. If one team has both of their throws received in the net while the other team misses the goal with both of their throws, then the first team would score three points. The game continues, switching from side to side. The first team to reach twenty-one points is the winner.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A method of playing a game, comprising the steps of: (a) erecting at least one collapsible goal having a net attached to a frame defining a goalmouth; (b) selecting two teams, each team having at least one player; (c) playing a round in which a player from each team makes at least one throw of a ball at the goal; (d) awarding points according to a differential in throws resulting in the ball lodging in the net; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) until one of the two teams accumulates a point total equal to an agreed point total; and (f) declaring the team accumulating the agreed point total winner of the game.
 2. The method of playing a game according to claim 1, wherein said at least one collapsible goal comprises two collapsible goals, step (a) further comprising erecting the goals spaced apart from and facing each other.
 3. The method of playing a game according to claim 1, wherein each team selected in step (b) consists of two players.
 4. The method of playing a game according to claim 1, wherein the ball comprises a football.
 5. The method of playing a game according to claim 4, wherein said at least one collapsible goal comprises two goals spaced apart about sixty feet and facing each other, step (c) further comprising standing at one of the two goals and throwing the football at the other goal.
 6. The method of playing a game according to claim 5, wherein each of the rounds comprises two throws per team.
 7. The method of playing a game according to claim 6, wherein step (d) further comprises awarding one point for a differential of one.
 8. The method of playing a game according to claim 7, wherein step (d) further comprises awarding three points for a differential of three.
 9. The method of playing a game according to claim 8, wherein the agreed point total comprises twenty-one, step (f) comprising declaring the team first reaching a total of twenty-one points the winner.
 10. A method of playing a football game, comprising the steps of: (a) erecting two collapsible goals having a net attached to a frame defining a goal mouth, the goals being spaced apart and facing each other; (b) selecting two teams having two players per team; (c) playing a round in which a player from each team stands at one of the two goals and makes two throws of a football at the other goal; (d) awarding points according to a differential in throws resulting in the ball lodging in the net, including awarding one point for a differential of, one and three points for a differential of two; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) until one of the two teams accumulates a point total equal to an agreed point total; and (f) declaring the team accumulating the agreed point total winner of the game.
 11. The method of playing a football game according to claim 10, wherein the agreed point total is twenty-one.
 12. A collapsible goal for a football game, comprising: a pair of parallel base legs and a bight connecting the two base legs, defining a U-shaped base; a U-shaped goal frame having a pair of parallel legs and a top crossbar joining the legs, the legs of the goal frame being pivotally attached to the legs of the base; a second crossbar spanning the legs of the goal frame, the top crossbar, the second crossbar, and the legs of the goal frame defining a goalmouth; a net having a closed end and an open end attached to the goal mouth; and a support bar pivotally attached to the bight of the base, the support bar being removably fastened to the top crossbar in order to prop the goal frame up for use as a goal, the support bar and the goal frame being pivoted against the base in order to collapse the goal for storage and transport.
 13. The collapsible goal according to claim 12, further comprising a cross brace extending between the legs of the base so that the base is generally rectangular.
 14. The collapsible goal according to claim 12, wherein said support bar is pivotally attached to the bight of the base at a midpoint of the base.
 15. The collapsible goal according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of hinges pivotally attaching the legs of the goal frame to the legs of said base and pivotally attaching said support bar to the bight of said base.
 16. A football game kit, comprising a plurality of collapsible goals according to claim
 12. 17. The football game kit according to claim 16, further comprising a plurality of footballs.
 18. The football game kit according to claim 17, wherein one half of the plurality of footballs is a first color and the other half of the plurality of footballs is a second color.
 19. The collapsible goal according to claim 12, wherein said base, said goal frame, and said support bar are made from metal tubing.
 20. The collapsible goal according to claim 12, wherein said base, said goal frame, and said support bar are made from plastic tubing. 